How many eBay auctions end with the winning bid of a penny…and free shipping? Quite a few it seems. Some sellers want to build feedback, others hope you’ll buy a one-cent card and migrate to their more expensive listings. Some will gladly trade a deal for a name on their mailing list and others lure you with free shipping but require you to buy more cards to get it.

No matter how you slice it, though, there are hundreds of cards on eBay priced at a penny–with no charge to ship. Of course, we’re not talking Mantles here but if you’re in the mood to fill sets, start them or just buy a few cheap cards for your collection, it’s worth checking this link to see what’s out there every week. Score any deals while ‘bottom feeding’ auctions that start with a low minimum?

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TV shows centered around antiques and collectibles have been very successful in the U.S. We love American Pickers, Pawn Stars and the like. Now, a new show has debuted on CBC in Canada that’s sort of like Antiques Road Show with a game show twist. Members of the public bring items in that they think have a lot of value. Waiting for them are four of Canada’s top buyers, each in a separate room.

Sellers speak with each one but if they turn down an offer, it’s off the table for good.

Bob Yanelavitch of Classic Sports Cards & Collectibles in Wilkes-Barre, PA is one of those ‘survivors’ who has seen the highs and lows of the sports card business but managed to persevere. He’s now in his 27th year and still loves coming to the shop every day.

You’ll find vintage cards in his store along with the current products, as well as supplies and anything else that sells and keeps customers coming in. He’s also not afraid to sort base cards to help customers fill sets.

“I’m just a firm believer that what you put into a business is what you’re going to get out of a business,” Yenalevitch told Citizen’s Voice, a local newspaper. “And I think that’s why it survived.”

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Rich is the editor and founder of Sports Collectors Daily. A broadcaster and writer for more than 30 years and a collector for even longer than that, he's usually typing something somewhere. Type him back at [email protected].